Community support for increasing paid parental leave continues to build with a new private members bill set to be debated in parliament this week.

“The strength of support for eight more weeks at home with our new babies has grown with the Tick for Kids coalition signing on to support the campaign,” said 26 for Babies Convenor Rebecca Matthews.

“Dozens of child wellbeing advocacy and health groups with a nationwide presence are part of Tick for Kids. Extending paid parental leave to six months is an issue that the experts – and voters – support. It’s time for all politicians to listen and invest in our smallest citizens,” said Matthews.

Tick for Kids spokesperson Lisa Woods said that the group had identified better support for parents to be able to focus on their young children as one of their top priorities.

“Sue Moroney’s bill to extend paid parental leave will give families more choice in that crucial first year of our babies’ lives. It will enable more mums to breastfeed for longer. Babies will be able to bond with their families at home for longer, and have all the benefits to health and wellbeing that provides.”

The 26 for Babies coalition is calling on National to vote Sue Moroney’s paid parental leave bill into law tonight. The Labour MP has substantially amended her bill to prioritise a smaller number of families.

“All new babies deserve their first six months at home with mum or dad,” said spokesperson Rebecca Matthews. “26 weeks paid parental leave is of such benefit to new babies that National should have always been willing to invest in it.”

“Longer paid parental leave for all families is still the goal, and we will get there. This policy is popular and no good evidence has been put up against it.”

“The evidence given by parents with multiple or premature births, and of babies with disabilities was very moving and strong in relation to this bill,” said Rebecca Matthews. “Moving them to six months would be a good step to where we should be going for all new babies.”

“The cost of the change was the only objection National raised against Sue Moroney’s bill. The amended bill will cost significantly less, and therefore National should vote for it to proceed.”

The coalition to support 26 weeks paid parental leave says that public demand for six months leave with a new baby is not going away, and the group will continue to push for government to do more to support better outcomes for children up to the election and beyond. Continue reading →

26 for Babies is welcoming further progress of legislation to increase paid parental leave, but warns National that a veto could undermine the good progress made in the budget. Finance Minister Bill English has indicated that government may overturn Sue Moroney’s bill on financial grounds. Continue reading →

Today’s announcement of an extra four weeks paid parental leave in stages is a good development for New Zealand families, but must be part of a government plan to increase the leave even further over time, says 26 for Babies. Continue reading →